Nevada has lost 10 straight road openers. So why am I jumping on the Wolf Pack wagon? I think they are the WAC surprise. Nevada finished out last year with a 38-35 victory over Fresno State. This was a team that opened up the season by getting their ass handed to them. As a spectator, I like this matchup as it pits two WAC contendors against each other in a conference matchup in Week 1. No easing into it. And I love WAC football because it gives me something to do between the hours of 10pm and 2am on Friday and Saturday nights (see http://wearerockingthesuburbs.com for a glimpse into my life as a new, happily cloistered/sequestered father). Since 2001, Nevada and Fresno have combined for 31 games decided by 7 points or less. WAC games are always close and always high scoring. But I stay away from the over this early in the season as teams fine tune and shake the rust.

As far as individual matchups are concerned, Nevada has the advantage in Rowe. Fresno will be starting Brandstater, a third year sophomore who only passed the ball 13 times last season. The deciding factor will be how much pressure Rowe sees as defensive lineman Tyler Clutts and Louis Leonard should harass the Wolf Pack quarterback Lionel Ritchie style..."all night long". Mitchell and Mathis also have frighteningly similar rushing numbers. Fresno State is a bit more spread out in the receiving corps which will test a weak Nevada secondary which gave up 269 yds per game in the air last year. The Pack hasn't beat Fresno State in Fresno since 1998. They won't break that streak tonight. However, they will cover, which is all that matters when you spend your days chilling on the Court, the Sedge Court.